ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Powered by a game-high three goals from senior Andrea Mott (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place) and junior Riley Wallace (Islip, N.Y./Islip), the No. 25 Mercy University Women's Lacrosse Team opened ECC play with an 11-5 win at Roberts Wesleyan University on Saturday afternoon.

The Mavericks (6-1, 1-0 ECC) start 6-1 for the first time since 2021 and win their ECC opener for the ninth straight year. Mercy defeats the Redhawks (1-5, 0-1 ECC) on the road for the first time since 2022. The five goals allowed are the fewest allowed to Roberts Wesleyan in 18 all-time meetings.

The opening quarter saw a balanced exchange as Mercy and Roberts Wesleyan both vied for control. Roberts Wesleyan initially took the lead with Lia MacDougall's goal at the 9:17 mark. Mercy's defense, led by senior Olivia LaMonica (Oak Ridge, N.J./Jefferson Township) in goal, successfully thwarted additional scoring attempts, including a crucial save on a free position shot by Brooke Guelli.

The Mavericks responded late in the quarter when freshman Jessica Grzelaczyk (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford), assisted by junior Juliana Talenti (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage), found the back of the net with 35 seconds remaining to even the score. The quarter concluded with both teams locked at 1–1.

Mercy began the second quarter with a strong showing, responding to an early Redhawks goal by sophomore Ashlinn Kelly (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale) scoring a woman-up goal at 13:19 to tie the game at 2-2. This was swiftly followed by Mott finding the back of the net, assisted by freshman Brielle Bilello (Hauppauge, N.Y./Hauppauge), giving Mercy the 3-2 lead.

The Mavericks continued their momentum with freshman Ava Franco (Coram, N.Y./Longwood) converting a free position shot for a woman-up goal, making it 4-2 with 8:50 on the clock. Despite a brief response from the Redhawks, which narrowed the gap to 4-3, Mott scored again, and Kelly added another goal from a free position shot, further extending Mercy's advantage to 6-3. The Mavericks headed into halftime with a 6-3 lead.

Mercy started the third quarter with a strong defensive presence, forcing multiple turnovers by Roberts Wesleyan. Mott and senior Emily Marino (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon) were instrumental in recovering ground balls, maintaining possession for the Mavericks. Despite early shots being saved by Josella Harrison, Wallace capitalized on a woman-up opportunity to score from a free position, extending Mercy's lead to 7–3 with 7:52 left in the quarter.

The Redhawks responded with a goal from MacDougall, narrowing the deficit to 7–4 at the 2:49 mark. Mercy's defense continued to pressure, with Marino causing a turnover and picking up a ground ball. The Mavericks headed to the fourth quarter with a 7-4 lead.

Mercy seized momentum early in the fourth quarter with Talenti scoring at 13:17, assisted by Kelly. Shortly after, Wallace capitalized on a woman-up opportunity, extending the lead to 9-4 with 12:36 remaining.

Midway through the quarter, Mercy's defensive stand was highlighted by LaMonica's crucial saves, maintaining their advantage. Wallace added another goal at 07:35, giving Mercy a 10-4 lead. Despite Roberts Wesleyan pulling one back through Ella Dossier, Mott responded for Mercy, assisted by sophomore Kiera Medina (Greenlawn, N.Y./Harborfields), putting the Mavericks up 11-5 with 53 seconds left. Mercy's defense held firm in the closing minutes, with LaMonica securing a final save to give the Mavericks the 11-5 win.  

Wallace and Mott led Mercy with a game-high-tying three goals. Mott recorded her 100th career point and now has 101 for her career. Wallace also added a game-high-tying four draw controls. Kelly added two goals and an assist and Talenti added a goal and an assist. Franco and Grzelaczyk both added a goal and Bilello and Medina both recorded their first collegiate assists. Marino had two ground balls and a caused turnover and freshman Keira Laibach (Massapequa, N.Y./St. Dominic) had a ground ball and a caused turnover. LaMonica made five saves and recorded four ground balls to earn the win.

MacDougall led the scoring effort for the Redhawks with three goals and added an assist. Harrison made a game-high seven saves to take the loss.

Mercy held a 23-16 edge in shots, a 20-14 edge in ground balls and Roberts Wesleyan held a 12-6 edge in draw controls.

Head Coach Dawn Sachs and the Mavericks resume action on Thursday, March 19th when they host Saint Leo at 3 p.m.